Viewing Large Maps on T3

T

theeblackshirt76

New member
I'm not a "GPS" guy and won't be. I have several 100-250k bitmaps viewable on the T3 -- I make my own maps. Rather than do the MSN Maps thing, with limited "scope" (it's great for detail of small area, but I want detail of LARGE area), I thought "Well I'll just scan my atlas."

Scans came out great - 300 dpi, crop 'em, lower brightness, boost contrast, add a little red . . . looked sharp. That's what I do to the bitmaps I use.

Ending file size was roughly 8" x 8", jpg format, 800-1100k in size -- smaller in SIZE than some of the bitmaps I'm using, but 5x larger in file size - that's okay.

Well, when they went on the Palm there was NOTHING BUT FUZZ; no detail of even cities, let alone small towns like I had on the PC or like I have with the 200k bitmaps.

What am I doing wrong? Is this beyond the capability of the Palm screen to "zoom in to?" If I start altering pixel ratios, I'll lose detail, right? So that's out . . . just can't figure out why the bitmaps off the web come out and scans will not. I tried saving as a bitmap - 20MB!! Ouch.
 
I use AcidImage 3.0 to view my own maps scanned from mapbooks/travel guides/atlas with excellent results (jpeg, average 250 to 350kb, 800 x 1200 pixels). I usually scan from 8.5 X 11-inch sources at high quality, and reduce the size to 50% for Palm use.

I can zoom down to 100% with super clear details. I store map files in my SD card, and AcidImage can load the pics very quickly. This proves handy when I travel because not all cities/countries (particularly Asia and Europe) are covered by commercial map applications.

GPS is not very practical when you are walking or travelling by public transport as a tourist, or just your looking for addresses in your native city.
 
Paul, what program are you using to view the maps?

Also, try changing the resolution of the images to 72 pixels per inch. You won't lose any detail--the maps would just PRINT bigger.
 
Fireviewer allows you to zoom; however one huge drawback is that it doesn't allow you to view native photo files. You must convert your photos using their software. IMHO that's not very convienient to convert all your photos to their format. I tried it and I wouldn't recommend it. With competing limited space available for applications; you need something that is flexible and can do all things. So far I'm just using the photo viewer that came with the T3. I'm sill looking for the a good viewer too... zoom, fast load, native jpg viewer, flexibility with organization and viewing.

Sorry, can't help you with the map thing. I generally find the map applications available serves the purpose. Guess I don't need customization. The file sizes are already optimized and it has huge database on places in each city, restaurant, etc.
 
I agree - tried Fireviewer two years ago and the "custom .pdb thing" is annoying. Raw is the only way to go and conversion is unnecessary and unwise, IMHO. Not only that, the application creates half a dozen separarate "sub programs" in RAM, clutters up saved and unsaved prefs, and is finicky. It also WILL NOT WORK if you've uninstalled any "web apps" using Sprat. Fatals everywhere. Not for me.

The "stock map apps" are too bulky, contain more info than I need and mapopolis is a bloated rip-off and a joke - so that's out. What I've been using works on SMALL scale; perhaps I should be less industrious in trying to have a single image of "Upper Mongolia" loaded on the card! I wanted basically an atlas and Thomas Guide on the T3. Curiously, THOMAS BROS were supposed to come up with an SD Card for Palm OS containing Thomas Guides - it just never materialized. If that was available I'd jump on it in a heartbeat - can't beat Thomas Guides.

I'll keep looking but thanks to all for your input.
 
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